The role of positive mental health in the relationship between stress and depressive symptoms during a pandemic

During the pandemic, increased stress assessments were recorded and it is predicted that in vulnerable groups they will persist after the pandemic, which may lead to the development of depressive symptoms even after the pandemic stressors are no longer present. However, positive mental health may represent a factor of resistance, but its role in the emergence of depressive symptoms, in the context of a pandemic, has been less researched. Therefore, the goals of this study were (1) to examine the contribution of sociodemographic characteristics, the experience of a pandemic stressor, perceived stress upon lifting pandemic measures, and positive mental health in explaining current depressive symptoms, and (2) to examine the mediating role of the current level of stress in the relationship between the experience of a pandemic stressor and depressive symptoms and examine whether this mediation is moderated by positive mental health. A convenient sample of students (N=222 included in the analysis; 82.8% female), in the spring of 2022, via an online form completed the Mental Health Questionnaire (MHC-SF), the Self-Assessment Depression Scale (SDS), the COVID19 Stressors Scale, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Sociodemographic Questionnaire. Current perceived levels of stress and positive mental health were shown to be independent significant predictors of depressive symptoms. The association between pandemic stressors and depressive symptoms is fully explained by current perceived stress levels, and positive mental health has a protective role in this relationship. Stress in participants with above-average positive mental health ratings is less strongly associated with depression than in participants with below-average ratings, in which stress is more strongly associated with depressive symptoms. The importance of monitoring the consequences of the pandemic and paying attention to the positive aspects of functioning was demonstrated.